Isis Pharmaceuticals changes its name to 'Ionis'

CARLSBAD, Calif., Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Isis Pharmaceuticals Inc. announced Friday it's changing its name to Ionis Pharmaceuticals.

The Carlsbad, Calif., manufacturer of RNA-targeted drugs will also be referred to as "IONS," beginning Dec. 22, on the NASDAQ Global Select Market of stocks.

Although the company did not specifically mention it changed its name because of its similarities to the acronym commonly used to identify the terrorist organization Islamic State, several business entities with "Isis" in their corporate names or products have switched to less inflammatory names.

Isis, a name taken from the Egyptian goddess whose mythological reputation includes motherhood and resurrection, is a trademark of a line of bras sold by the Ann Summers lingerie company, which has apologized for "any offense caused" by confusion between its wares and the Islamic State. Isis Wallet, a payment plan venture by three U.S. cellphone companies, changed its name to Softcard. Isis fragrances are still sold in Britain's Marks & Spencer department store.